Analysis of a referral-based endodontic practice: Part 2. Treatment provided

Little information exists in the dental literature regarding the range of treatment provided by specialist endodontists. This study was undertaken to analyze the range and incidence of treatment procedures performed on 2000 patients referred to a specialist endodontist in Perth, Western Australia. There were 312 people that did not require endodontic treatment, resulting in 1688 patients having treatment on 2221 teeth. Routine treatment without complications was provided to 313 teeth (14%) while a total of 451 teeth (20.3%) had calcified or blocked canals. Endodontic retreatment was necessary in 815 teeth (36.7%), 210 teeth (9.4%) had posts removed, and 236 (10.6%) had endodontic surgery. Perforations were present in 119 teeth (5.4%) and these were treated either conservatively (81 teeth, 3.6%) or with surgery (38 teeth, 1.7%). Dental trauma was the reason for referral of 258 patients who required treatment on 217 teeth (9.8%). The wide range of treatment procedures required indicates that endodontists must be highly skilled in all aspects of the discipline.